First TIMA Get-together to Share the Joy of Serving

More than 30 medical personnel from Klang participated in the 2017 TIMA International Conference held in March. As a post-conference momentum, volunteers from Klang joined the local TIMA members in organizing a large scale get-together session, which saw the participation of 79 medical personnel. Other than encouraging everyone to partake in future medical activities, it was also a golden opportunity for volunteers to share their joy in serving.

So glad to rediscover initial resolve

As one stepped out of the lift, one would be greeted by volunteers; and at the registration counter, a volunteer would offer a drink to the guest. With the drink in hand, the guest would walk towards the exhibition area, where another volunteer would explain the stories behind the photos displayed. The guest would also be briefed on Tzu Chi’s Missions of Charity, Medicine, Education and Humanistic Culture, thereby giving him/her a good understanding of the charitable efforts of Tzu Chi over the years.

In order to consolidate the strength of medical personnel in Klang, a large scale get-together session, which attracted participation from 79 medical personnel, was held at Top Glove Tower Setia Alam on April 29, 2017.

Chief Coordinator of the first ever get-together session, Wong Yoke Kiew, expressed her gratitude to those volunteers and medical personnel who have been supportive of TIMA Klang’s activities. The TIMA International Conference in March had attracted the participation of many local doctors, nurses and pharmacists. She hoped that from the conference, these medical personnel would have gained a good understanding of TIMA activities and would step forward to volunteer their services.

After the vegetarian dinner, guests were ushered into the hall. Besides the sign language performance, some TIMA volunteers went on stage to share their experience, including staff nurse, T. Selvin a/p Subramaniam. She said frankly, “After 37 years of service as a nurse in a government hospital, sometimes I do feel detached and numbed on what I see happening in front of me, so much so I do wonder whether I have forgotten the initial motive of serving people.”

After the TIMA conference, she seemed to have rediscovered her initial resolve of joining the medical fraternity. “I have a happy family and career. This conference has made me reflect a bit. Many times, we tend to forget to treasure and appreciate what we already have. Now, we search for spiritual joy and should be thankful that we are able to wake up in the morning and breathe.”

Since then, at her workplace, Selvin has been more patient and gentler in her dealings with colleagues and patients. If her subordinates commit mistakes, she would correct them with a gentle tone of voice.

Before ending her sharing, she reminded everyone to step forward and volunteer their services. “We should not be just enjoying what we have and not contributing. What makes me most satisfied is seeing the smiles on the faces of patients.”

Totally touched

“To get to Paitan to hold a free clinic there, we had to take a rocking boat ride along a long river, and we were told of the presence of crocodiles too...”

“The village folks of Paitan, Sabah, had to take a boat ride or walk for a few hours to get to the free clinic; unlike in the city, this is a vast difference.”

“It was quite tough to hold a free clinic here. Only the doctor and I were there at the start of the free clinic. Both of us had to arrange the chairs for the villagers to sit...”

Above was the sharing from pharmacist Chin Kim Ling, who participated at the free clinic in Paitan last October. He shared his experience with photos shown on the projection screen so that the attendees could see the challenges faced by the villagers in getting medical services. In the process, Kim Ling realized that he should treasure what he has, and at the same time, be more active in serving those who are in need.

For the last few months, nutritionist Alvin Lim has volunteered at the Buddhist Tzu-Chi Free Clinic Klang on weekends. He commented, “From this get-together session, I could see volunteers of various races and religions coming together to serve. This is impressive. It was also an eye-opener for me to see the volunteers going to remote places to serve the people and to care for them. I am touched.”

This was Nor Fazilah’s first attendance at a Tzu Chi event. She felt the get-together was lively but emotionally, it was like a roller-coaster, with light sessions followed by thought-provoking sharing. She had a strong impression of the free clinic in Sandakan, as shared by a volunteer. “When the volunteer said the scene was in Malaysia, I felt rather sad. It was beyond my imagination.”

From the sharing, she has discovered a new perspective in her job. She said, “I attended today’s get-together because I want to get back that feeling of ‘love’. In the course of our work, we tend to focus more on professionalism and neglect the spiritual need, which is equally important in nursing care.”

•

Before the conclusion of the get-together, Dr Lim Lian Cheoo, Convener of TIMA Klang, introduced the various services of TIMA Klang, and encouraged all to seize the moment and come together in caring for the health of local residents. Almost half of the medical attendees signed up for the volunteer services and with that, medical care is no longer confined to treating the patients and illnesses, but also to spreading warmth to the hearts.

With exhibition panels showcasing the Four Major Missions of Tzu Chi in the background, the English Group volunteer gave the guests a better understanding of Tzu Chi. [Photograph by Ng Su Lim]

Everyone, be it first timer or existing TIMA volunteers, had fun with the ice-breaker, “Nice to Meet You” group dynamics. [Photograph by Ng Su Lim]

A sign language performance of “Love in the World” was presented by TIMA and community volunteers. [Photograph by Ng Su Lim]

Pharmacist Chin Kim Ling shared on his free clinic experience. He realized that he should treasure what he has, and at the same time, be more active in serving those who are in need. [Photograph by Ng Su Lim]

Malay nurse, Nor Fazilah (middle) said in the course of work, she tends to focus more on professionalism and neglect the spiritual need. She attended the get-together to get back that feeling of “love”. [Photograph by Ng Su Lim]

From the free clinic, nutritionist Alvin Lim could see volunteers of various races and religions coming together to serve. He was very touched. [Photograph by Ng Su Lim]

From the TIMA conference and Tzu Chi’s activities, Selvin has rediscovered the initial resolve of being a nurse and learnt to treasure and appreciate those around her. [Photograph by Ng Su Lim]